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Table of Contents
Telemental/Telehealth Health Regulation in Indiana

TABLE OF CONTENTS

https://www.onlinetherapy.com

I. What are the licensure requirements in Indiana for telehealth mental health care?

Indiana’s licensure requirements stipulate that anyone who provides mental health care is licensed by the state’s Professional Licensing Agency. As a result of COVID-19, temporary allowances have made access to mental health care easier for patients and their providers. For example, Executive Order 20-05 permits all licensed mental health professionals in Indiana to conduct their appointments via telehealth. All rules applicable during remote practice must still be observed. The requirement that professionals conduct in-person appointments is suspended until the end of the public health care crisis.

Requirements for out-of-state treatment

Unless a health care practitioner is located in the state, they may not establish a provider-patient relationship with an individual in Indiana.  Exceptions can be made if the provider agrees to be subject to certain state laws and has the agreement certified in writing by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

Emergency licensure

The state Medical Licensing Board has made emergency licenses available during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing health care professionals licensed in other states to perform the same or similar practices in Indiana. All licenses last for 90 days or until the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted. Eligible licensed professionals include out-of-state practitioners, retired health care professionals and recent graduates of accredited medical programs.

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II. What are the online prescribing regulations in Indiana?

Any health care professional licensed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency can provide prescriptions to patients as long as a documented report — including history and physical evaluation — can be used to establish diagnoses and identify underlying conditions.

This information must be completed before issuing prescriptions electronically or otherwise. Governor Holcomb’s executive order in March 2020 temporarily removed this requirement, allowing telehealth sessions to be used instead of in-person visits.

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III. What are other common telehealth restrictions in Indiana?

Indiana requires treating physicians to certify the need for home health services and document a face-to-face meeting with the patient. Prior authorization is necessary for telemedicine services and can be submitted up to 60 days for approval. Indiana’s parity laws are limited, but when services are covered, they must be provided according to the same criteria applied to in-person visits. Governor Holcomb signed HB 1337 in 2017, which temporarily allows health care providers to prescribe controlled substances based on a telehealth visit and without an in-person examination.

Types of telehealth services allowed

If you live in Indiana, you are eligible to take advantage of telehealth care. Medicaid pays for live video telemedicine for specific services and providers. Telehealth services also include remote patient monitoring (RPM) and reimbursements for home health agencies for RPM patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure and COPD. The state’s Medicaid program does not reimburse for store-and-forward. Store-and-forward can be used to facilitate other services that qualify for reimbursements.

Types of providers allowed to offer telehealth services

The Indiana Medicaid program pays for services performed by Medicaid-eligible professionals who can provide the same care during a telehealth session as they would face-to-face and work at the following locations:

Live Video: 

  • Federally Qualified Health Centers
  • Rural Health Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Eligible doctor’s and other health care professional’s offices

Providers that can’t offer you the same level of care via telehealth as regular visits are disallowed. Examples of these include:

  • Chiropractors
  • Physical therapists
  • Nurse Anesthetists
  • Optometrists
  • Podiatrists
  • Lab workers

Emergency allowances

Out-of-state health care practitioners, retired health care professionals, and recent graduates of accredited medical, registered nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, and respiratory care programs may apply for a temporary permit to practice in Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the health emergency is over, these permits will expire.

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IV. Telehealth provider resources in Indiana

Indiana provides several online resources for people who are interested in learning more about telehealth and telemental health. These resources include information on what services are available and how you can access telehealth services.

Indiana State Department of Health

The state’s Department of Health website offers a variety of resources about accessing and using telemedicine in Indiana, the rules and restrictions, and the latest updates on COVID-19.

Contact Information: Website | 317-233-1325

Indiana Telemedicine and Telehealth Services

Operated by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, this resource has details about telemedicine in the state. You can find information about providers, services, COVID-19 resources, and billing and reimbursements for telehealth services.

Contact Information: Website | 800-457-8283

Indiana Medicaid for Members

Indiana Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded health insurance program for state residents. Its website offers important information about telehealth services, covered services and COVID-19 updates.

Contact Information: Website | 800-457-4584

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author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

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V. Sources

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